The state also ranks 14th in the number of drivers 65 or older killed in wrecks in 2010 and the number of fatal wrecks involving a driver 65 or older.

In 2010, 18 percent of all drivers in Alabama -- 682,604 -- were 65 or older and 89 drivers in that age group were killed in wrecks.

Also, a total of 143 people were killed statewide in wrecks involving at least one driver older than 65 in 2010. That's 16 percent of all fatal wrecks in Alabama in 2010, the report stated.

As the Baby Boom gener­ation ages, more steps need to be taken to keep older drivers and everyone who shares the road with them safe, the report stated.

"We must maintain and modernize our transporta­tion system to assure it is safe for users of all ages. But these safety needs can­not be addressed without adequate transportation funding at the local, state and federal level," said Keith Andrews, president of the Alabama Road Builders Association.

Frank Moretti, TRIP's director of policy and research, said in addition to safer roads, more must be done to improve vehicle safety and to provide more transit options.

"There's also a lot of edu­cational efforts out there that can keep older drivers safer longer," Moretti said.